This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
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In 2010, Texas became the first state in the United States to exceed 10 GW of installed wind generation capacity. This achievement was due in part to the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) transmission projects. These projects have supported the addition of more than 18 GW of new wind generation capacity to date (2013). By connecting wind-rich areas with areas of high electricity demand, these lines facilitate the use of renewable generation resources.
Photo Credit: Photo by T. Scott and used with permission for this publication.